Colin Pugh Sports Bowl

The Colin Pugh Sports Bowl is a multi-purpose stadium located in Queen Elizabeth Park in Masterton, New Zealand. It is currently used mostly for athletics and football.

Colin Pugh Sports Bowl
an athletics track
All-weather athletics track in 2023
Former namesMasterton Sports Bowl
LocationQueen Elizabeth Park, Masterton, New Zealand
Coordinates40.94677°S 175.67074°E / -40.94677; 175.67074
OwnerMasterton District Council
SurfaceGrass field, synthetic athletics track

History

Background

Athletics and cycling events had been held on a grass circuit in the oval at Queen Elizabeth Park up until the mid 1960s. In May 1964, the track was surveyed, and found to not comply with the specifications for athletics tracks. Several records awaiting acceptance were disallowed, and this was a significant blow to the athletics club.[1]: 43 

Athletics events were moved to Memorial Park from August 1966.[1]: 49  However, the park was used for rugby during the winter, and each summer season there were difficulties in creating an acceptable surface for athletics and cycling, and the athletics club continued to investigate options for a dedicated facility. [1]: 62 

Establishment

In 1969, Colin Pugh, the parks superintendent, recommended to the Masterton Borough Council that an area of about 7 acres (2.8 ha) in Landsdowne should be considered for a dedicated athletics ground. At that time, the site was a hollow covered in gorse, blackberry and broom, with significant standing and fallen timber. There was also an old stop bank of the Waipoua River running through the site. The council needed to obtain property rights before the site could be developed. [1]: 62 

Work to clear the site began in 1972.[2]: 183  Volunteers made a large contribution towards preparing the site, and a local earthmoving company also donated their services. The project was supported with significant fundraising from the community.[2]: 184 

The venue was originally known as the Masterton Sports Bowl. The Athletics and Cycling Masterton club built a clubhouse at the site in 1981.[3] In 1989, the venue was renamed as the Colin Pugh Sports Bowl, after the former superintendent of parks in Masterton.[3]

The all-weather track
Nick Willis leading the field on the new all weather track, Colin Pugh Sportsbowl, in 2013

Planning for an all-weather athletics track in Masterton was underway by 2007.[4] The Wairarapa Regional All Weather Track Trust was formed in 2009 to promote the need for an all-weather track and raise funds.[5] Initial funding of $300,000 was obtained from the Masterton District Council.[6][7] However, the project was delayed by difficulties in securing the remaining funding required to reach the target of $1m.[8] In 2011, the Pelorus Trust provided a grant of $50,000 and obtained 10-year naming rights.[9] Construction was underway by November 2011.[10]

Installation of an Alsatan all-weather athletics track was completed in December 2012. Olympic medallist Nick Willis took part in the inaugural meet on the new track in January 2013.[11][12]

In 2016, the Wairarapa Regional All Weather Track Trust handed over the track to the Masterton District Council for future management and operation, and the trust was dissolved.[5][13][14]

Certification

As at June 2023, the Colin Pugh Sports Bowl is accredited as a Class 2 certified facility by World Athletics.[12]

Events

Track and field meets and championships are regularly held at the venue.[15][16][17] Major meets have included the 2013 North Island Secondary School Athletics Track and Field Championships,[18] and the 2022 Wellington Primary and Intermediate Schools Regional Athletics Championship.[19] The venue is also used as a base for harrier events.[20]

The venue has been used for football games.[21][22][23] It has also been the venue for outdoor concerts.[24][25]

References
  1. Cairns, Terence J. (1980). Carry them shoulder high. Masterton: Masterton Amateur Athletics and Cycling Club.
  2. Cairns, Terence J. (2000). Running Cool. ISBN 0-473-07392-7.
  3. "A place to call home". Athletics and Cycling Masterton. Archived from the original on 10 February 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  4. "Planned athletics track sold as good for region". Dominion Post. 7 November 2007. ProQuest 338281765.
  5. "Wairarapa Regional All Weather Track Trust". New Zealand Business Number. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  6. Morton, Jamie (27 July 2009). "All-weather facility now well on track". NZ Herald. Archived from the original on 17 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  7. "Wairarapa athletics track off with a bang". Dominion Post. 3 September 2009. ProQuest 338354525.
  8. Dickson, Walt (10 March 2010). "All weather track running out of time". Stuff. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  9. Adamson, Alan (9 August 2011). "1000-plus expected to run half-marathon". Manawatu Standard. ProQuest 883090737.
  10. Caffell, Gary (3 November 2011). "All-weather track work on schedule". Wairarapa Times-Age. NZ Herald. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  11. "Willis christens new track". Stuff. 16 January 2013. Archived from the original on 17 June 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  12. World Athletics Certification System: List of Certified Facilities as at 1 June 2023. Monaco: World Athletics. 2023. p. 28.
  13. Barlow, Jack (27 September 2016). "After controversy, Masterton's 'blue elephant' running track handed over". Stuff. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  14. Farmer, Don (26 July 2016). "Track trust calls it a day". Wairarapa Times-Age. The Herald. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  15. "Eight records broken at track and field champs". Wairarapa Times-Age. 15 March 2021. ProQuest 2735906475.
  16. "Success for athletes". Wairarapa Times-Age. 21 January 2021. ProQuest 2736330925.
  17. Adamson, Alan (18 August 2022). "Athletes pull off impressive times at winter track and field meet". Stuff. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  18. "Pelorus Trust North Island Secondary School Athletics Track & Field Championships" (PDF). New Zealand Secondary Schools Athletics. 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  19. "Primary Sport Wellington - Regional Athletics". www.primarysportwellington.org.nz. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  20. "Harriers resume on Sunday". Wairarapa Times-Age. 20 May 2020. ProQuest 2737458382.
  21. "Defence key for Wairarapa United". NZ Herald. 4 May 2007. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  22. Woodcock, Fred (18 June 2007). "Phoenix upset but refuse to panic". Dominion Post. ProQuest 338274320.
  23. "Sports results". Bay of Plenty Times. 25 July 2011. ProQuest 878912624.
  24. "Dave and opera". Evening Post. 28 December 1998. ProQuest 314623533.
  25. "Classic summer concerts both hummers". Dominion Post. 14 February 2003. ProQuest 338013646.
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